Yoshinori Kitase Succeeds Shinji Hashimoto as Final Fantasy Brand Manager

As part of the second day of the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest on May 15, 2021, a torch was passed. During the opening presentation, Square Enix Executive Director and Senior Member of the Board of Directors and former Final Fantasy Brand Manager Shinji Hashimoto appeared on stage. It was then revealed that Square Enix’s Yoshinori Kitase is the new Final Fantasy Brand Manager.

Throughout his time with Square Enix, Yoshinori Kitase constantly worked on the Final Fantasy series. For example, he worked on the original Final Fantasy Adventure on the Game Boy and Final Fantasy V on the Super Nintendo. Most recently, he’s worked on both the Final Fantasy and SaGa series. Most recently, he produced Final Fantasy VII Remake. He’s also the Executive Producer on both the upcoming mobile games Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier and Ever Crisis. FFXIV Producer Naoki Yoshida said Yoshinori Kitase was named Final Fantasy Brand Manager in April 2021.

As for Shinji Hashimoto, he discussed his time with Square Enix and future plans. He reminded people he started at Square back in 1994. He also let people know that he isn’t going anywhere. He said, “I will continue my work at Square Enix. I will not disappear all of a sudden. So I appreciate your continuing support.”